Lightning-rod air terminal bracket



April 17, 1928. 1,666,670

6 c. A. SCHNOEBELEN LIGHTNING ROD AIR TERMINAL BRACKET Filed May a. 1927 Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLEMENT A. SCHNOEBELEN, 0F CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

LIGHTNING-ROD AIR TERMINAL BRACKET.

Application filed May 6,

This invention relates to the mounting of lightning-rod terminals on building roofs and other structures, the object of the invention being to provide a bracket adapted to hold the terminal and the body portions of the rod firmly in place, and to make a close and secure connection of the bracket, both mechanically and electrically, with the structure to which it is attached.

The invention is fully disclosed in the description and claims following, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of my improved bracket as applied to the ridge of an ordinary roof. Fig. 2- shows the same as modified for attachment to a wall coping, or the like flat surface. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same as modified for attachment to a ridge tile.

In the drawing, the numeral 5 denotes an ordinary shingle roof, provided with a sheet-metal ridge-roll 6 of familiar and standard type. A part of the main rod 7 is shown disposed over the flange of the ridge-roll, and parallel therewith. At suitable intermediate points the rod is attached to its support by clips 8, one of them being shown in direct contact with the ridge-roll flange. It is to be understood that in the mounting of a lightning-rod a close electrical connection is necessary between it and such metal parts as the ridge-roll, to pre vent dangerous flashing and arcing across gaps and imperfect joinings. This applies to the clip above mentioned, and which is in general use, and also to the terminal bracket now to be described.

Connecting with the upper end. of the rod is a bracket 9 carrying the upwardly extending, pointed terminal 10. In practice the bracket is made in halves, socketed at 11 to receive the cylindrical body of the terminal, and to clamp it securely and tightly in position by means of clamping screws or bolts 12. Below the socket hub the bracket expands to form lesser and greater semi,-cylindrical concavities 13 and 14, respectively. The upper one is not always needed, but is convenient at times as a passage-way for a conductor, or the like. The larger cavity is made to conform closely to the exterior of the semi-cylindrical portion of the ridge roll, which it clamps closely, held by the clamp-screws above mentioned. The feet 15 1927. Serial No. 189,337.

of the bracket, when applied to a pitched roof, diverge at the same angle as the roof, and are rigidly secured thereto by screws 16, which are preferably brass or copper. The bracket itself should be of some non-rusting metal and a good electrical conductor, such as bronze. One of the feet of the bracket is provided with a pair of upstanding lugs 17, which may be bent and closed firmly over the rod to make a secure mechanical and electrical connection.

When the bracket is to be attached to horizontal flat surfaces, such as battlements, or wall copings 18, the feet of the bracket are turned at rightangles to the terminal, as shown in Fig. 2. It is to be noted also that in such a case the rod may be coupled directly to the lower end of the terminal, which, being tubular, may be split up a short distance, flattened out, and the flattened end turned closely around the rod. In Fig. 2 a part of the nearer half of the bracket is broken away to show this fastening, and to show that the arch of the bracket affords plenty of room for this fastening when there is no ridge-roll to obstruct.

Another modification is shown in Fig. 3, whereby the bracket is adapted. for attachment to a ridge formed of tile 6. In this case the arch is necessarily considerably larger than when applied to a metal ridgeroll, and the feet are curved upwardly at 15 so as to conform to the faces of the tile, which are generally bulged outwardly at these points.

The bracket as above described and illustrated in the drawing is very easily and quickly installed, presents a neatappearance, is mechanically strong and durable, and is completely efficient electrically. I

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Combined with a lightning-rod, its ter minal and a roof ridge-roll, a bracket formed in halves, each socketed to receive the shank of the terminal, and arched to receive the ridge-roll, clamping bolts to bind the bracket halves closely on the terminal. shank and ridge-roll, diverging feet conforming to the surface to which they are applied, and lugs formed on one of the feet, and adapted to connect electrically with the rod when bent over thereon.

2. Combined with a lightning-rod, its terminal and a roof ridge-roll, a bracket formed Mini in halves each socketed to receive the shank of the upstanding terminal and the transverse ridge-roll, clamping bolts to bind the halves closely on the terminal and roll, diverging feet conforming to the surface to which they are applied, means for securing ture the bracket to said surface and lugs on one of the feet to retain the rod when bent thereon, the bracket formed with a smaller arch disposed above the roll, substantially as described.

ln testimony whereof I afix my signa- CLEMENT A. SCHNOEBELEN. 

